Kolkata (West Bengal)

India's campaign at the ongoing Cricket World Cup suffered a body blow after star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out of further participation in the tournament. The star all-rounder had hurt his left ankle while bowling during India's World Cup match against Bangladesh in Pune.

 

The 30-year-old will now miss the rest of India's campaign at the World Cup after he failed to recover in time, according to a Press release from ICC.

 

His place in India's squad will be taken by Prasidh Krishna, the fast bowler was added to the playing group after being approved by the tournament's Event Technical Committee on Saturday.

 

Krishna has just 19 white-ball appearances to his name for India and was last seen at the international level when he picked up the prized wicket of David Warner in taking 1/45 from nine overs against Australia just prior to the World Cup.

 

While Krishna has shown signs of promise in the past with 33 international wickets, the right-arm quick is going to be competing with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj for a place in India's pace attack.

 

With the Event Technical Committee approving India's replacement player on Saturday, it means Krishna is available for selection for Sunday's crucial World Cup clash against fellow tournament pacesetter South Africa.

 

India and South Africa currently occupy the top two places on the World Cup standings and the winner of Sunday's match in Kolkata will be in the box seat to finish the group stage of the tournament in first spot.

 

India's Updated Squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.

 

Expresing disappointment over missing out on taking further part in India's Cricket World Cup campaign, Hardik Pandya said that it was tough to digest that he would no longer be part of the tournament.

 

In a post on his official X account, Hardik said that despite missing out on the action, he would be with the team and would cheer for them on every ball.

 

Pandya added that the 'Men in Blue' squad is special and he is sure that every player will make India proud at this World Cup."Tough to digest the fact that I will miss out on the remaining part of the World Cup. I will be with the team, in spirit, cheering them on every ball of every game. Thanks for all the wishes, the love, and the support has been incredible. This team is special and I'm sure we'll make everyone proud. Love, always, HP," Hardik Pandya wrote on X.